The Nutrition of Mental Health

"Mental health is an integral part of health; indeed, there is no health without mental health." (World Health Organization, 2010)

MENTAL HEALTH BACKGROUND

- 5%: of people will have a generalized anxiety disorder in their lifetime
- 10-25%: of women have a lifetime risk for Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)
- 5-12%: of men have a lifetime risk for MDD
- 5-9%: of women are suffering from a MDD at any given time
- 2-3%: of men are suffering from a MDD at any given time
- 22%: of adolescents, aged 13 to 18, had already experienced a clinically significant mental health problem

The brain makes up only 2% of the human body's weight but accounts for at least 25% of its metabolic demands.

- 2nd: leading cause of disability worldwide by 2020 is estimated to be depression
- $240: million, annual cost of antidepressants in 19855
- $12: billion, annual cost of antidepressants in 20125

BRAIN AND GUT LINK

Like your brain, the gut has its own nervous system, which sends information to the brain via the vagus nerve.

- 30%: reduction in the risk for major depression, dysthymia, and anxiety disorders by women who regularly consumed a whole diet consisting of vegetables, fruit, whole grains, and high-quality meat and fish
- 50%: increased likelihood of depression in women who regularly consumed a diet high in refined or processed foods and saturated fats7
- 11%: higher likelihood of good functional health by eating two more servings of fruits and vegetables a day8

FOODS TO FIGHT AGING AND HELP MEMORY

Folic Acid and Vitamin B12:

Pairing a food rich in folic acid (folate) and another rich in vitamin B12 helps to prevent disorders of the central nervous system, mood disorders, and dementias

Antioxidants

Help prevent damage and deterioration to brain cells with these foods:

- 5 different colored fruits and veggies each day to get a variety
- Spices - cumin, cinnamon, turmeric, garlic powder, and chili powder
- Dark berries, citrus, and tomatoes fight the negative effects of free radicals on cells in the brain

Types of Whole Grains:

Lean Proteins

- Second most abundant substance in the body (behind carbs)
- Amino acid tryptophan (building block of protein) can help boost mood and reduce irritability
- Tyrosine and other amino acids may help relieve stress, promote tranquility or restfulness, and interact with serotonin in the brain to improve feelings of contentment.

Dairy Sources:

Active Culture Sources:

Multi-vitamin

- Deficiencies can cause or aggravate many neurological problems and some mental illnesses
- Magnesium and B-12 vitamins can be particularly helpful in reducing symptoms of depression

Chocolate:

Small amounts of dark chocolate can affect the levels of brain endorphins - feel-good chemicals produced by the body.

Exercise and Mental Health:

- Reduce Stress - Exercise increases concentrations of norepinephrine, a chemical that can moderate the brain's responses to stress.
- Boost happy Chemicals - Exercise releases endorphins, which create feelings of happiness and euphoria. Studies have shown that exercise can even alleviate symptoms among the clinically depressed.
- Improve Self-Confidence - On a very basic level, physical fitness can boost self-esteem and improve positive self-image.
- Enjoy the Great Outdoors - Vitamin D acquired from soaking up the sun (while wearing sunscreen, of course!) can lessen the likelihood of experiencing depressive symptoms.
- Prevent Cognitive Decline - Diet and exercise can help shore up the brain against cognitive decline that begins after age 45. Working out, especially between age 25 and 45, boosts the chemicals in the brain that support and prevent degeneration of the hippocampus, an important part of the brain for memory and learning.
- Alleviate Anxiety - The warm and fuzzy chemicals that are released during and after exercise can help people with anxiety disorders calm down.
- Boost Brainpower - Various studies have shown that cardiovascular exercise can create new brain cells (aka neurogenesis) and improve overall brain performance.
- Sharpen Memory - Regular physical activity boosts memory and the ability to learn new things by increasing production of cells in the hippocampus responsible for memory and learning.
- Increase Relaxation - For some, a moderate workout can be the equivalent of a sleeping pill, even for people with insomnia.
- Be More Productive - Research shows that workers who take time for exercise on a regular basis are more productive and have more energy than their more sedentary peers.